For nature lovers in Beaver County, it really doesn’t get any better than Raccoon Creek State Park. Located in the southern part of the county along both Route 18 and Route 30, this 7,572-acre park offers an incredible amount of outdoor activities from fishing and boating to hiking and camping. It is also a popular destination for local residents looking for a peaceful drive through some of the most beautiful scenery you will find anywhere.
Raccoon Lake
The centerpiece of Raccoon Creek State Park is the 101-acre Raccoon Lake that sits right in the middle of the park. The lake is popular with local fisherman who you will find catching bluegill, sunfish, bullhead catfish, yellow perch, walleye, muskellunge, crappie, saugger, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. The lake is also stocked with brook trout and rainbow trout.
While there is plenty of great fishing available right from the shores of Raccoon Lake, because of its size many fishermen like to get out on the water. The park has two boat launches and a total of 48 mooring spaces. There is also a boat rental facility where you can rent canoes, rowboats, and kayaks.
Park Trails
Because of its massive size, Raccoon Creek State Park offers an unbelievable amount of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and even horseback riding. There are a combined 44-miles worth of trails between all of the activities, and those trails range in difficulty and length from the 0.7-mile easy hiking of the Appaloosa Spur Trail to the 6.2-mile most difficult hiking of the Forest Trail.
One of the most interesting trails in the park is the 19.5-mile backpacking loop that is comprised of the Heritage Trail, Forest Trail, and Appaloosa Trail. There are two camping areas located along this trail, so it is possible to really take your time and get lost in nature here!
Camping
Speaking of camping, the two camping areas located along the backpacking trail are just the tip of the iceberg. There is a total of 172 campsites located throughout the park. On top of that, there are also a number of different cabins and even a lakeside lodge that is fully furnished and heated with electricity.
Picnic Areas
While many of the amenities of Raccoon Creek State Park cater to the hardcore nature lovers, there is still plenty of room for the casual park visitors. There are more than 400 picnic tables located around the park and each picnic area also contains grills, water, and public restrooms.
Whether you are looking to get lost in a week-long hiking and camping excursion or just want to relax on a scenic drive through the beautiful woods of southwestern Pennsylvania, Raccoon Creek State Park is an absolute must-see destination on your Beaver County Bucket List. There is a reason it was named one of Pennsylvania’s 20 Most Beautiful Parks.
